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Push Your Limits | Do Something Impossible

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About Joel

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Hey, I’m Joel, the guy behind IMPOSSIBLE. If you want to find out more about me, this is the place to start.

joel-runyon-iceland

This is long, so if you’re looking for the quick overview:

TLDR

I like to build businesses and travel the world in search of adventure and challenge. I find the best therapy is a long run, or a workout that makes you want to puke. I sleep best at night after I’ve exhausted myself completely.

The Origin Story

After graduating college in 2009 in the middle of the recession, I was unable to get a job. After lowering my standards and applying to hundreds of jobs, I started applying to places like Target and Starbucks (I never even got a call back from Starbucks), with no luck – while holed up in my parent’s basement – watching an unconscionable number of episodes of Burn Notice.

After a part-time seasonal stint at UPS delivering packages in Chicago in the dead of winter, I was laid off the week after Christmas. Back in my parent’s basement Tired of the way life was going, I decided that once and for all – things needed to change.

I built a list of things I wanted to do – get a job, travel the world, start a business – but they all seemed IMPOSSIBLE.

So I knew what I had to do.

I spent the next 3 months feeling sorry for myself.

After more hours of Burn Notice, I got tired of feeling sorry for myself and looked at my list again. One item stood out to me – “run a triathlon.” I had excuses for why I couldn’t’ get a job, travel the world or start a business – but I didn’t have any excuses for putting on my shoes and running around the block or getting on my bike and pedaling.

Despite not knowing anything about triathlons or anyone who had done one, I signed up for my first triathlon – an indoor triathlon at Lifetime Fitness in the suburbs of Chicago.

I trained for the race, and did it.

At the finish land, standing next to the indoor pool in Bolingbrook, Illinois – I remember telling myself:

You spent so much time telling yourself that this was IMPOSSIBLE. What other “IMPOSSIBLE THINGS” could you do if you just decided to train for them and do the impossible?

So, I created my IMPOSSIBLE LIST, and started the blog and decided to keep pushing my limits by pursuing the impossible.

joel-runyon-iceland

The Next Adventures

After the indoor triathlon, I decided to keep going. I began running – 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and marathons while also getting into half Ironman races. In 2012, I was approached by Pencils of Promise and challenged to run my first ultra marathon – and do it for charity. That year, I ran my first ultra marathon and we raised over $26,000 to build our first school with Pencils of Promise.

After a year or so, I wanted to do another big impossible thing. I launched 777 and immediately got hurt. Then I got sued. After 18 months of legal troubles (read all the exciting details here), I decided to relaunch 777 in 2017 and finished in 2018 – days before I turned 30 – becoming the youngest person (and one of 6) to have run an ultra marathon on every continent on the planet. No injuries this time around (thanks to a cool app I built called MoveWell) – although my foot did swell up to a nice purple color in one of the Arctic races.

All throughout all of this, IMPOSSIBLE has documented the adventures + epic failures (there’s a lot) along the way. If you want the play-by-play, just read the archives.

What’s Next?

You got an adventure in mind? Get in touch here.

But Enough About Me…

The goal with IMPOSSIBLE is not only to just share my story (I’m no one special), but to help inspire, equip and fuel others to do the same.

IMPOSSIBLE is a vehicle to help you do that – to push your limits, to do something IMPOSSIBLE and remind yourself that the best things “always seem impossible until they’re done.”

Read more about IMPOSSIBLE here.

Speaking

Joel is an international speaker and available for limited engagements. He’s spoken at Universities, Fortune 500 Companies and around the world (even, ironically – Target HQ). His TedX talk has been viewed over 700,000 times (despite the horrible videography job). You can find out more and request to book Joel here. You can read testimonials from other companies here.

Quick Overview

  • Reaches 5M+ people through IMPOSSIBLEHQ.com
  • Youngest person to run an ultra marathon on every continent on earth.
  • Raised over $250,000 for charitable causes through Impossible.org
  • Longest run: 100k in Antarctica
  • Coldest race: -18ºC in Rovaniemi Finland
  • Countries Visited: 47/193
  • States Visited: 49/50
  • Countries Run Across: 2 (Monaco + Liechtenstein)
  • Next IMPOSSIBLE Thing (a):
  • Next IMPOSSIBLE Thing (b): Running Across the 10 smallest countries in the world
  • Favorite quote: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”

Follow Joel

joel-runyon-iceland

Some pretty great stories that I’ve had a chance to be a part of:

  • The youngest person to run 7 ultra marathon on 7 continents.
  • Did the above and raised $193,000 for Pencils of Promise (and built 7 schools). 
  • I have been sued by a billionaire.
  • Ran an ultramarathon & raised $26,000 for a school with Pencils of Promise.
  • Took 41 people skydiving & 30+ people bungee jumping.
  • Traveled to over 45 countries on all 7 continents before 30.
  • Built a multi-6-figure company that allows me to travel the world + work from anywhere.
  • Built 4 apps that have sold over 200,000 units.
  • Traveled to France on 24 hours notice, spent 5 days homeless in Paris for less than $300.
  • Started Impossible.org to help give back to others and support people to do the impossible. Given away over $250,000.

I’ve got a lot more impossible things and amazing stories on my list of impossible things – and they’re getting crossed off one by one. You can see my list of impossible things here.

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Comments

  2. Hey Joel!

    Keep up the great work contending for the “impossible” things. It’s really inspiring that your life is an example and demonstration that the only limits that we really have are those that we impose on ourselves.

    All the best in your endeavours!

    Cheers,

    Dominic 😉

    Reply

  3. I stumbled across your site and its one of the most inspiring things I’ve read and found. As someone who’s completed 3 marathons and having friends and family think I’m crazy for doing so, I feel like I can somewhat understand the exhilaration behind “doing the impossible.” Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading more about your pursuits and accomplishments!

    -R

    Reply

      • I’m 70 years old with stage 4 cancer.i’ve chosen to fight back,especially after reading “Born To Run ” with a running background having run a 4:20 mile, and 24:56 for a 5miler, and a 2hr 48min. marathon, I’ve decided to get back at it. Prostate removed but cancer has gone into bones.(it’s being managed) started back at it February 2018 walking around track plus 3/4 of a lap jog.by December was up to 15 – 16 miles per week.some hip problems b/c I tried to come back too quickly.have to start over again. goal is to go back to Napa marathon which I ran in 1980, also want to run the Western 100, and go back to Helena Montana and run the August, 2nd oldest race in My. I won it in 1965, and 1966. Just a fun thing to do.But mainly the goal is to smash this cancer like a bug which I have a few nay sayers on my approach and certainly who thinks I can run a 100 mile race in about 4 years. It will take a lot of training cuz I haven’t stayed in shape.stories like yours are a real help. Thanx. [email protected]

        Reply

        • Hi Ralph,

          Your letter is inspiring! It is the thought and the plan that matters, without that nothing is possible! I am 68 years and cancer survivor and have had 2 more surgeries and now diagnosed with Heart Failure. I have just started and can only walk 10 minutes a day but want to be able to walk 45 minutes a day in time and do strength training twice a week. Right now everything seems impossible especially with bone loss and no stamina but I want to plod on!

          Here is to both of us winning!

          Kailash

          Reply

  5. I know someone who can help you learn to kitesurf. Check out http://www.cosmickites.com – they are based in Long Beach on Long Island in New York and give lessons there. They also have schools in the Caribbean, most notably in the DR in Cabarete. Mike is the owner, he’s a friend. Tell him I sent you!

    Reply

  6. Hey Joel, congrats on the triathlon. I found your blog when I was looking for the valpotri pictures. I noticed on your blog that we share a lot of common interests, although I am just now beginning… Keep it going man. This world is too round to live like it’s flat. Follow me up on twitter. Sabeder09
    -Lucas

    Reply

  7. G’day Joel
    I am another who has stumbled across this blog and I have spent the last 30 minutes going through stories and inspirational messages. You have done a great job. I am currently in training for the Noosa Tri (in Qld Australia) on Oct 31. I have done a few before, run 7 marathons and took my daughter skydiving for her 21st birthday present last month, so I understand the satisfaction you and your followers get from our “hobbies”. Keep up the good work, I’ll be reading.

    Reply

  8. G’day Joel
    I am another who has stumbled across this blog and I have spent the last 30 minutes going through stories and inspirational messages. You have done a great job. I am currently in training for the Noosa Tri (in Qld Australia) on Oct 31. I have done a few before, run 7 marathons and took my daughter skydiving for her 21st birthday present last month, so I understand the satisfaction you and your followers get from our “hobbies”. Keep up the good work, I’ll be reading.
    +1

    Reply

  10. Hope you can handle a 70 y/o woman having a “crush” on you, because I do. I admire your tenacity, your excitement for life, taking it on the “chin” to live your dream and knowing that when I leave this earth, someone is still living with my philosphy in life: “Do the impossible.” Having lived 4-5 lives in this one already, I look forward to the “next best thing”. Keep doing what you’re doing. You have my admiration, appreciation, and prayers. Author Joyce Godwin Grubbs

    Reply

  12. Came across this blog via a relative. You are such a positive and humble person, always thanking your readers. It’s very refreshing especially with all the snarky, sarcastic things all over the internet. Keep up the great work!

    Reply

  17. Dude, youre like a chick posting selfies on facebook. The only thing more sad than someone living a boring, wasted life, is someone who needs constant attention and social approval to do something slightly active with themselves.

    Youre not that cool, you definitely dont know the first thing about being humble.

    The ‘impossible’ thing for you to do now would be to take down this self glorifying web site and try living like a man.

    Reply

  20. Hace poco decidi cambiar mi estilo de vida, activarme, cuidar mi salud, alimentacion… Estoy en baby steps pero con la mira fija en mi objetivo… Estoy super motivada y decidida, me encanto tu blog!! Quiero mi impossible list tambien, siempre eh tenido la intencion de hacer muchas cosas pero me eh limitado yo sola a no cumplir esos sueños, me inspiras a tomar vuelo y aventarme!! Seguire acompañandote en tu camino 😉 gracias!! Saludos 😀

    Reply

  21. Wow Joel – Just reading through your bio and some old and new posts really does give a feel to your character. You both remind and look like a younger Tim Ferriss.

    It’s usually a recession or depression that forces us to start thinking and living impossible, but it’s hard to be the first one out there. The fact that we’re now going through something of a second industrialization with technology, computers and the internet, life has never been tougher for a millennial like myself.

    At the same time, it has never been better to get out there, kick ass and live the impossible. Thank you for being living proof that it is entirely possible.

    Looking forward to following your site!

    Carl

    Reply

  23. Hi Joel,
    I truly enjoyed reading your blog. I came across your website as I was researching information about T-shirt business. Thank you for generously sharing your thoughts about shit business. I truly appreciate it! Thank you very much! L’chaim (Cheers) !

    Reply

  24. Hi Joel,
    I just wanted to contact you to say thanks. About 5 months ago I watched your Ted talk video on youtube about taking daily cold showers and it has honestly changed my life. I have always suffered from anxiety and I’ve found daily cold showers to be more effective than any other remedy I’ve ever tried. I’ve become a more resilient, determined person in all aspects of my life and it’s really hard to believe.

    Thanks again and good luck in your future

    Kind regards
    Tierney O’Riordan

    Reply

  25. Hey Joel,

    Could you shoot me a email when you got time, curious if you’d be interested in writing a guest blog on fitness or training for ski touring?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  7. […] Joel Runyon Joel’s list is primarily focused around finding ever more gruelling ways to push the limits of his cardiovascular system. But, beneath his tough, Tim-Ferriss-looking exterior, he’s one of the nicest guys you’re ever likely to meet. Check out his Impossible List if you’re into tests of physical endurance. And keep an eye out for Joel—some day you might see him in an ad for Lynx. […]

    Reply

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